Four former Presidents of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and Ranil Wickremesingh have announced they will not contest in the upcoming parliamentary election. 

While Gotabaya Rajapaksa steps back, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sirisena, and Wickremesinghe have each been influential in politics for nearly fifty years. Their absence is echoed by numerous prominent figures from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), who will not seek election or inclusion in the national list, including Chamal Rajapaksa and Dr. Bandula Gunawardana.

Additionally, several former members of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and other parties have opted out, including Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and Patali Champika Ranawaka.